Jean­-Michel Guillon was born in Paris and a pilot with the French army. Nobody in his family was ever involved in wine. He always loved Burgundy wines and in 1980 he boarded a train to Burgundy, got off and stayed. He had no training or any qualifications in winemaking. He studied what the experienced masters in the region did and built up relationships that have led to acquisitions of vineyards. Through tireless work he built a domaine of 35 acres of vineyards in the finest sites, among them parcels in the 2 Grand Cru sites: Clos de Vougeot and Mazis-­Chambertin. In 2005 his son joined to work in the winery. Since 1990 the prominent French wine magazine Guide Hachette regularly selects the Guillon wines as top wines.

Jancis Robinson MW, November 2015: Comparing the prices with my scores, I would identify the best-value 2013 Clos de Vougeot as that of Jean-Michel Guillon.

Pictures: Welcome

Jean-Michel Guillon was our host. We were also joint by Jean-Michel's son Alexis Guillon.

Domaine Jean Michel Gillon is in Gevrey-Chambertin, right on the Route National. Jean Michel founded the estate in 1980; it is one of the few new estates in Gevrey-Chambertin. Jean Micchel started with 2 appelations; today his portfolio comprises 20 appelations, among them parcels in the 2 Grand Cru sites: Clos de Vougeot and Mazis-Chambertin. In 2005 his son joined to work in the winery. Since 1990 the prominent French wine magazine Guide Hachette regularly selects the Guillon wines as top wines. 94 percent of the production is red wine and 6 percent white wine. Total production is 7000 cases, of which 55 percent is exported, including to the US and Canada. 40 percent is sold at the estate directly to consumers.

Pictures: Domaine Jean Michel Guillon - In the Cellar

Albany Vintners (UK): A new exciting find for us, Jean Michel Guillon is a passionate winemaker who takes Rousseau, Dugat-Py and Denis Bachelet as his inspiration to make rich, impressive Burgundies; these are highly accomplished, succulent Burgundies which, to quote Allen Meadows "retain a clear sense of style and grace and remain identifiably pinot noir". Attention to detail in the vineyard and vinification is scrupulous with yields kept low to produce the best fruit, and 100% of the finest new oak (notably this approach is carried across the range starting even with the Marsannay).

Jeam-Michel has also introduced meticulous practices such as whole cluster fermentation to emphasise the purity of the fruit.

Pictures: Domaine Jean Michel Guillon - Tasting

The Wines Jean-Michel Guillon Poured

Albany Vintners (UK): This Domaine has attracted worldwide attention since the 2002 vintage but the 2013s are well rated by Allen Meadows and are, according to Monsieur Guillon, better than his 2012s. These are fleshy, supple, robust wines that offer serious value for money and will provide much drinking pleasure - we couldn't recommend these highly enough and recommend stocking up on these great value Burgundies, which are nigh on impossible to find with any age.

In the Washington DC area, Chain-Bridge Cellars in Mc Lean carries a large selection of the Domaine Jean-Michel Gillon wines.

Chain Bridge Cellars: Jean-Michel's very first vintage in this vineyard perched near the top of the hill overlooking the village of Fixin. A strict green harvest brought yields down to 30 hl/ha (very low in this "value" village) to give the wine the kind of concentration and body Jean-Michel is known for. Aging in 100% new French oak provided roundness, but the oak flavors are buried in the fresh cherry/berry fruit and give just the nicest touch of spice. Round and full of fruit and softly supple on the juicy finish, this is an outstanding Burgundy to enjoy young and will improve for 5+ years.

"A discreet application of wood serves as a backdrop for the pretty plum, violet, earth and slightly gamy aromas. Here too there is a relatively sleek mouth feel to the vibrant and overtly stony middle weight flavors that display a mild touch of austerity on the balanced and refreshing finish."Allen Meadows 87-90 points

"A discreet application of wood serves as a backdrop for the pretty plum, violet, earth and slightly gamy aromas. Here too there is a relatively sleek mouth feel to the vibrant and overtly stony middle weight flavors that display a mild touch of austerity on the balanced and refreshing finish."Allen Meadows 87-90 points

As it has for the past few years, Champeaux stands out among Guillon's 2014 1er Cru wines for its purity of fruit and beautiful texture. Much more open and accessible than Champonnets today, Champeax impresses with its blend of ripe dark fruit, classic Gevrey earth and iron-ore, and hints of floral elegance. Approachable now, better from 2021 – 2029+.

Outstanding "A cool, pure and restrained nose speaks of red currant, plum, earth and a hint of the sauvage. There is lovely detail to the sleek and beautifully refined middle weight flavors that retain a fine sense of delineation before terminating in a balanced, classy and mineral-inflected finish. Textbook Champeaux."Allen Meadows 91-93 points

With the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes, this is one of the most outstanding values in this offering, delivering Grand Cru level ripeness, concentration, and complexity at a price well under many very good 1er Crus. As with the Grand Crus, Jean-Michel ferments Petite Chapelle in a brand-new, open-top, wood fermenter before aging it in the best French oak money can buy. You can begin to peak in on its development in 2021 if you like, but put some away to drink from 2024 to whenever.

Outstanding "Here too there is moderate but not dominant wood setting off the more elegant and airy red and dark pinot aromas that exhibit background nuances of earth, floral and spice. There is a notably finer mouth feel to the even more mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that retain a lovely sense of delineation on the punchy, focused and well-balanced finale."Allen Meadows 91-93 points

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About Me

I live in the greater Washington DC (US) and Frankfurt am Main (Germany) areas and write about wine. I am a member of the FIJEV (International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers). Before starting to write about wine in 2009, I was for almost 30 years an economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I am currently in Washington DC.